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Transcript

Caption

  • A framed museum display case features various pinned insects and butterflies on a light blue background, organized into three sections. The 'Camouflage' section displays insects like moths, stick insects, and beetles that blend with their surroundings. The 'Confusion' section includes large butterflies with prominent eye-like patterns, and the 'Warning' section shows brightly colored butterflies and other winged insects.

Butterflies, moths and insects

Description

Camouflage

Every animal is trying to survive. For most this means avoiding being eaten by predators. Many animals have evolved to have the same colours as the natural environment around (such as leaves and soil) them to help them hide. This is called camouflage.

Confusion

Some butterflies and moths have eye-like markings on their wings. When predators attack they usually choose their prey’s most vulnerable parts such as the head and eyes. Eye-spots might confuse the predator to choose less vital areas and allow the insect to escape. Eye-spots might also make them appear to be a more dangerous animal, such as an owl.

Warning

Instead of trying to hide, some animals use warning colours to advertise that they are dangerous, poisonous or taste bad. This is called aposematism.

Some animals are telling the truth. But some animals are just pretending that they would make a bad meal by looking like dangerous animals. This is called Batesian mimicry.

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